Four children. Home education. Attempting to work from home (hah!). Shopping, cooking, washing, just the usual type of stuff. Chuck in that the baby hasn't quite worked out the value of sleep yet, and that might explain why I'm still in pjs, unshowered (sorry) at half past one, frantically writing a blogpost that yes, I'd forgotten I was due to do...

Sleep. I do remember it. Not had a good stretch of deep sleep for quite some months now - couldn't sleep in pregnancy due to hip pain, and we do have a toddler who hasn't quite cracked it either. But this baby is taking it to extremes - his favourite sleeping position is on my knee having just finished feeding, and if I try to sneakily lay him down, he's usually awake and yelling in moments. This is not a common sight.

I'm at my wits end with him. Overnight all he wants to do is feed. I don't seem to be able to get enough milk into him to feel full - or if I think I've managed that, he then gets uncomfortable and throws up. Just wonderful to have fed and fed and fed, and then lie in a puddle of regurgitated milk, not daring to move in case you disturb the small tyrant that you're cuddling.

Yes, I'm bed sharing. Yes, I know it's against the advice of all the medical professionals. But it's the only way I stand a chance of the occasional nap through the night at the moment - I'm not quite sure what else I'm supposed to do. I suppose I could go to giving him a bottle of formula, but I've fought so hard to get breastfeeding working with this baby that I am very loath to give it up just like that. He's growing well just now - putting on around an ounce a day, which is an excellent weight gain, so obviously something is going well for him.

Yes, you did read the subject of this post correctly and no, I am not planning to become one of the TTC bloggers just yet! However I am finding that it's an ever increasing conversation topic between hubby and I...

Is there such a thing as a right time? I feel very conflicted over the whole issue. On the one hand, I'm so very broody already and the sight of a newborn baby practically makes my ovaries clench but on the other hand, Oliver is only 7 and half months and the idea of actually having another baby anytime soon seems not only ludicrous to me but perhaps rather unfair on him. However, then I started thinking about the main arguments for waiting before having second babies.

The first argument, I imagine, is usually money. For us (although I am not naive enough to think that having a second baby won't cost us anything!) the money isn't quite so much of an issue because we have made all the big, expensive baby purchases already with our first one and also I am staying off work indefinitely with Oliver anyway so the whole 'childcare cost for two' problem is eliminated.

The other reason that is usually given for waiting before having another that it's not fair on the first child to have to share you so soon. While I can completely understand this one, people seem to forget that only a first baby will ever get the luxury of being an only child! What about the poor, 'hard done by' second, third (and beyond) babies of the world that are born having to share you? Nobody worries about them do they? ;-)

I suppose the decision (and the reasons behind the making of it) really are different for every couple. The reason we have chosen to wait a little while before having another isn't because of money or Oliver at all really - it's for me, selfishly wanting to feel like myself for another year or so before once again becoming a large, lumbering, non alcohol drinking, bundle of hormones :-) Although that said, I accidentally started my pack of pills two days late this month and didn't realise so perhaps the decision will be taken out of my hands.....

Where on earth has the last 26 weeks gone? Like a lot of pregnant facebookers I get updates and advice about 'by now (if they are good) your baby will be moving from breech into head down position ready for their entrance into the world'! I have to be honest I felt a more than a little apprehensive and a lot of panic at the sheer thought of it.... to the point that I ended up in floods of tears.

Hubs can understand why I am so worried in his words 'I'm not the one that will be attempting to squeeze a grapefruit through my nostral' and his attempts to back up this comment with 'but you'll be fine' does little to console me although he never fails to make me laugh!

The thing that I am getting more and more of apart from the inability to walk without 'wombling' as Hubs says, is a worry that I have realised I am totally unprepared for the baby, meaning that if (touch wood) something happened and the baby arrived right now where would they sleep? If they did sleep that is??? and What would they wear?

You can probably sense the panic so far but you can imagine to be around me at the moment is a pretty intense place to be! I feel bad for Hubs as he has been amazing but so far its been difficult to see past the fog of the unknown in front of me until one day last week where a collegue offered the following obvious observation in response to me mentioning my concerns '.... It's simple to panic but remember, it's a natural process, our bodies are made to give birth' and suddenly (I won't say I'm not panicking) I am feeling a lot more realistic about the whole process.

To help me feel more relaxed I am going to go to my anti natal classes (my midwife has recommended that Hubs comes with me as it will get him used to the wide range of 'animalistic' noises I could made - charming lady haha!!) and we have started on the back bedroom, I can't quite bring myself to call it the nursery yet though - its too scary!!! But it helps that we have choosen a pretty challenging theme and are in the process of painting three murals ..... If nothing else it will give me something to focus on for the next couple of weeks and maybe seeing my baby's sanctuary evolving will get rid of the panic and more excited about the next stage.............

Hello I'm B, otherwise known as Mama B. I'm a mama in my early 20s to the beautiful Baby B who was born in December 2010. Here is a little bit about how our family got to where we are today...

Back in Spring 2010, me and Papa-B were happily ambling along enjoying our lives as a couple when all of a sudden I got a niggling feeling that we weren’t alone. I was right, and in December 2010 we were lucky enough to welcome Baby-B into the world. Becoming parents was a bit of a shock for us, when we became pregnant I was actually on the pill so I can safely say we weren’t trying to conceive!

We spent the first 8 months of Baby-B’s life not daring to mention another little miracle, then whilst on holiday in August the Sangria went to our heads and we started the conversation about Baby2! We got straight to it (ahem) and I fully expected to be peeing on a stick by the middle of September.

In actual fact the dreaded monthly visitor arrived on the plane journey back home, I told myself that this was to be expected and we started again… and again and again. Now 7 months later we’re still waiting on that positive test. To say I’m surprised would be an understatement, I think numb would be better a word.

At the end of February the whole process started to get to me a little so we took a break: no scheduled bedtime fun for the month of March, a whole 31 days of just enjoying life while not trying to make another.

Now April is in full swing I’m nervous, time to try… But the sun is out and Spring has sprung, the perfect time to start fresh. So that’s where we are now: scared, excited and ready to start again.

It has been a rough few weeks, I have been suffering with morning sickness. To be honest I expected it, and was waiting for it to kick in with devastating results. In my last three pregnancies I have suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum, also known as HG. With my first pregnancy (10 years ago now!)I was hospitalised and put on a drip for rehydration, they also put me on anti sickness medication. It took a few tries at different medication but they finally found one which would ease my constant sickness. So when I became pregnant with my second child they automatically prescribed it to help avoid getting to the hospitalisation stage again. Then with my third pregnancy I was also prescribed it although I only needed it for a few months.

Now here I am in the same position 3 years later but something has changed. I honestly feel like I have become scared of being sick. The thought of it feels me with dread. The sudden feeling of nausea which washes over me makes me panic and cry. As a result I have become a recluse, my house is my little safe haven and I know that if that sudden sick feeling washes over me that I can be sick out of sight of people. People who have no idea why you are like it, they probably just assume you are a drunk or are on drugs.

I know I need to get out of the house, but I am really struggling. I constantly feel a mess, my hair is a state and none of my clothes fit me. I have a face full of spots that I haven't had that bad since I was a teenager. My belly has decided to expand (I swear it knows what's coming and has expelled ready to be filled) and my trousers are all too tight, yet maternity ones are too big! My pyjama bottoms are fantastic and have become my best friend, they don't judge me and are always there for me, they hug my legs and make me feel better regardless of the spots and greasy hair. I know I can't go on like this, but I am hoping it is a passing phase and the blooming stage will come soon...or at least the stage where I can leave the house without gagging at strangers.

Today is officially 38+3 and so in theory by the time I'm due to blog again, our little family should have increased in size. Apparently first born children are often late but I've got my fingers crossed little man won't be!

Getting to the end of the pregnancy is certainly the hardest part for Loz, but little man is behaving as he should be and increasing in size as one would hope. The midwife is saying he'll be high 7lb to mid 8lb baby; I certainly don't envy Loz and her expanding tummy! She is coping brilliantly though and despite these past few weeks being a massive struggle she has coped admirably. As I blogged before, she is working right up to and after birth and despite frequent toilet breaks, she's still soldiering on. She is incredible - these northern girls are made of strong stuff! :)

We had our antenatal class a few weeks ago and that went pretty well. We made friends with some of the other expectant parents, keeping in touch via Facebook, and it was nice to get a general 'refresher' on the labour process. I certainly feel more prepared than I did a few weeks ago and hopefully I can be a competent 'birthing partner'.

Team Mosster!

As I've mentioned before we don't have a 'Birthing Plan' as such, aside from 'get the baby out as effectively and safely as possible, listening to the advice of the midwives and doctors'. Although from day one Loz has had her heart set on using the birthing pool and the midwife is a big fan of it. There is one slight stumbling block which is a 'BMI limit' for those wanting to use the pool. With little man's healthy weight gain and Loz being slightly overweight when we found out she was pregnant, Loz has now crept over this limit. (I'd like to point out that Loz has said it's ok to divulge this information!) Thankfully the midwife is happy for Loz to have the birthing pool (if it's available at the time), but we do have to see the consultant to get the thumbs up as well. We're hoping, as the rest of the pregnancy has been pretty text book, all will be okay - we get the verdict tomorrow.

With 'the end' drawing near, we've both been looking for signs of impending labour... ok, possibly me more than Loz! I've installed a 'Contraction Timer' App on her phone with a little homescreen widget for her to press when they come and go. I will freely admit to now being a bit jumpy about the whole situation. I'm eager; perhaps too eager. Loz has told me she'll 'know' when it's happening for real, but even so, I can't help but spring into action at the slightest twinge. I'm aware this is probably quite annoying for Loz, so do my best not to get too excited, but I honestly can't help it!

In the last week or so the Braxton Hicks have started to appear and the baby has dropped too! The bump is definitely sitting lower and Loz isn't as breathless after climbing the stairs. The baby dropping does seem to have increased the pain in Loz's hips and a very strange side effect of restricted movement in her left leg. If she lifts it too much she gets a terrible pain. This has made getting in and out of the car/bed very difficult and it's horrible to watch a loved one in so much pain.

I think we're both just very keen to meet our son. We're in a real limbo at the moment; we cant really do much or go anywhere too far away, 'just in case'. It will be nice to get back into a more 'normal' life once he arrives - well, as normal as life with a newborn is! More than that, it will be great to see the little life we've created and settle into life as slightly bigger family.

My name is Laura and I am known as Mummy to my 25 month old, Rocket who made a hasty entrance to the world 6 weeks early on Valentine's Day 2010 and since then has been keen on doing everything as fast as he can, he never stops!

Now that he is at an age where (other than potty training) he can pretty much amuse himself, we thought it would be perfect timing to try to conceive a second bundle, which we thought would be easy as I used to get pregnant at the drop of a hat, but it appears that after my ectopic pregnancy in 2009 and only having the one fallopian tube left, now with added problems that seem to have been brought on by dieting late last year my cycles have become irregular so I am now waiting for an ultrasound to check my ovaries and so forth.

I know Rocket will make a fantastic big brother, he is an incredibly loving child and I am ready to complete our family but am aware it will be a long uncertain journey with my past medical history, a premature baby and Hypermobility Syndrome but I am ready for the bumps along the way, I just hope there wont be many!

It is my first ever blog giveaway! I have five pairs of tickets to the Scottish Baby and Toddler Show being held April 27-29th in Glasgow to give away to Emma's Diary Fans! Just follow the instructions on the widget below to enter!

It is my first ever blog giveaway! I have five pairs of tickets to the Scottish Baby and Toddler Show being held April 27-29th in Glasgow to give away to Emma's Diary Fans! Just follow the instructions on the widget below to enter!

I’ve been having a hard time lately. I’ve been keeping busy, but maybe too busy. It’s been helpful to be distracted from the waiting, but I’m left feeling drained and tired. Last weekend we went to a wedding, and as I sat watching the screaming children and their weary parents - I couldn’t help but wonder if this was really the life I wanted.

It doesn’t help that I’ve never been that interested in babies. They're cute for a few minutes, but then I’m more than ready to give them back! Bring them back to me when they get to be toddlers and children! I’m sure it would be different with our own child, but there is a slight fear that winning this agonisingly long fight will result in 9 months of exhaustion and pain, followed by two to three years of hard work before really achieving my dreams. When feeling tired, drained and probably a bit depressed – you start to wonder if it’s even worth it.

Personally I find it very hard to keep enthusiastic over repeated failures. I mean if this had been a sport or a craft I’d never have stuck with it for three years. I’d have given up in frustration and found something I actually have a knack for. I mean at what point do you say “You know what, I’m obviously not any good at this – I should just give up.”?

The silly thing is I’m talking about this like I have a choice in the matter. I can already tell I’m detaching myself from the situation, probably as a form of self-defence – but the problem is there’s not much I can do about it. Even if I was to naturally get pregnant tomorrow, I’m not sure I’d be happy about it now. I’ve moved past that sweet-spot where I believe everything will work out and moved into a place of apathy and doubt.

All of this is making our IVF journey difficult. We’re now in the system, so virtually everything is out of our hands. In many ways I want to pull out and quit, but at the same time I think if I just slog through it I’m sure to come around. I mean I’ve desperately wanted a child for years, surely I won’t just change my mind in a snap...but I’m just not convinced.

If a boyfriend had caused me as much heartache as this dream of a family has, my friends would tell me to let him go because I deserved to find someone better. Should I really fight this urge to move on with my life?

Another Goldfish has been trying for her first child for nearly 3 years and suffered a ruptured ectopic pregnancy in Spring 2011. She’s also made a recent commitment to living a low-carbon lifestyle, and is taking it one small step at a time. To join her on either journey, visit Another Goldfish.

Tomorrow I will be 37 weeks pregnant and this means that I have officially reached full-term and if baby were to arrive, it would no longer be considered premature. The enormity of this fact is weighing on my shoulders. Before long, baby will be here and to be very honest, I'm not sure I'm ready.

Yes, I've got all of my bags packed now. Yes, the nursery is made up. Yes, I've had all of my antenatal classes and yet there is still something missing. I don't know whether it is because I am still working (and will be right up until my due date) or whether it is just that the nesting hormones haven't kicked in yet, but I just don't feel mentally prepared for the arrival of another baby into our house just yet.

I keep finding myself comparing how I am feeling to how I did with my first pregnancy and although I actually feel heavier and more uncomfortable now than I did at 41 + 3 when my daughter was born, I don't feel the same level of relaxation, of anticipation or of boredom. Perhaps this is because, having a 2 year old to deal with, I don't really have the time for relaxation or boredom! Ah well, I'm sure the feeling will hit me sooner or later.

I have been experiencing one or two Braxton-Hicks (not something I experienced at all last time around). Last week I woke one night to agonising pelvic pain and two very distinct contractions over the period of half an hour. I took some paracetemol and tried to relax and fall back asleep. Relaxing is easier said than done when you think you are going into labour. I KNOW that the rush of adrenaline is a bad thing for you and that what you really want is nice relaxing oxytocin to be flowing through you instead, but when you first start the unfamiliar feeling of a contraction it sets your mind rushing and it really is hard to fight the adrenaline. If there is one thing I have learned about labour from last time around, it is to relax and try and go back to sleep so I was quite proud of myself for having managed it, even though it was just a trial run for baby's arrival.

I know the clocks went forward a few weeks ago but it feels like someone has sped up the whole calendar! How am I twenty weeks already? Why have I been so neglectful with weekly updates?

We've got our anomaly scan this Friday and still haven't decided to find out Flump 2.0's sex or not. I am not the best at being patient and would love to find out this time but OH isn't convinced. In fact he is so steadfast in his choice I'm starting to doubt if I want to find out!

So will you help me out? I've put together a little survey here to see what you think! Should we find out Flump 2.0's sex, if it is possible, at our scan? What would or did you do?

*How far along?: 20 weeks- half-way there!

*Total weight gain: 2-3kg over the last 2 weeks, eek.

*How big is baby?: Large Mango

*Maternity clothes?: Bought two new t-shirts; as much as bare midriffs seems to be popular again I think I will keep my bump covered up!

*Sleep?: The strange pregnancy dreams have started. First I was dating Tom Hardy (I blame going to the pictures last week) who was actually a very nice guy despite his bad boy image and in another dream I had Flump 2.0 and they were born fully dressed and toddler sized. Scary!

*Best moment this week?: I may or may have not eaten an entire posh Easter Egg in one go.

*Movement?: Getting kicked a lot, mostly if I'm leaning forward to type on the laptop which un-surprisingly is a lot!

*Food cravings?: I'm having trouble wanting anything. OH will ask what I'd like for tea and I can't think of anything I want or anything he suggests sounds disgusting.

*Labor signs?: None.

*Belly button in or out?: Put in the pregnancy belly bar that I looked out ages ago.

I often find my brain ticking over the subject of money for Oliver's future. When he was two weeks old, one of our first trips out was to the bank to open a savings account for him so I could put in all the money he'd already accumulated (at two weeks old!) and as a place for future birthday/Christmas/miscellaneous money gifts to go. Which of course, got me thinking about putting other money aside for him. These days, the deposit for a house in our area can easily be £30,000 (almost certainly more in the years to come) and realistically who can save that amount of money and still live at the same time? Not many I suspect... you'd practically have to start saving the day you were b... oh right :-)

So David and I made the decision to try and save all of Oliver's child benefit in an ISA. The account is in my name for two reasons, one being that child benefit cannot be paid into an account in the child's own name. Of course you could just transfer it but that brings us to reason number two - if it goes into an account in Oliver's name, he gains control of it when he turns 18 in most cases. We worked out the Oliver's child benefit could be worth about £17,000 by then (assuming it isn't reduced or taken away entirely in the near future, as I've heard rumour of!) and would you want to let an 18 year old loose with money like that? I think not!

He also has an ISA in his name which I pay a small sum into each month. I am the type of person who saves better (ie. misses it less) if it's lot of little amounts going to different places rather than some huge sum disappearing once a month into the banking ether. Don't put all your eggs in one basket right?? (This does however, conflict terribly with my desperate OCDish need to keep things all in one place haha!)

What sort of things do other people have (or plan to have!) in place for their children's futures, far away as they may seem now!? Or am I the only one who is this control freakish ;-)

I have arrived…… After 7 long years of hard work and study I have finally reached the dizzy heights of middle management! This is something I have been working towards for such a long time and I am thrilled to finally have something to show for the 10 hour work days and time spent sitting up all night writing and re-writing dissertations!

As I have mentioned in previous blogs I don’t class myself as an ‘earth mother’, the fact that I went back to university at 27 shows that I was more drawn to a career than nappies! But something strange seems to be happening to me…

At my current stage (23 weeks) I am finding myself logging out at 5pm (on time) to get home to Hubs and the dingo.Which is strange as I have been known to still be in work at 7pm on a Friday (even after I found myself pregnant!).But the draw to be at home more is growing at the same rate as my sizeable tummy!!

I started off thinking that I would take the full maternity pay offered (52 weeks) and then go back 2-3 days a week to my current role which would allow me to be mummy and PM (performance manager not prime minister!), but apparently this may not be possible as my role is a full time role ….. and so will be my role as mum!So I am stuck with a dilemma ……….. do I go back full time after lil one turns 1 year old or do I give up work/ my position for a lesser position in the organisation that is part time??

I can’t imagine myself not working, so in preparation for a difficult decision have decided that this would be an ideal time to take my hobby to a new level and have set up as a sole trader.Hubs is being very supportive but has his concerns that I am taking too much on (I don’t do things by halves!) but I want to be able to see if my hobby would sustain me to stay off work or at least pay for the childcare for the lil one whilst I work.

Only time will tell …… but maybe this type of nesting is going too far?

The information on this website is for general information and it is not intended as, nor should it be considered as a substitute for seeing your own GP, midwife or healthcare professional. You are advised to seek professional medical advice if you have any concerns or suspect you have a medical problem.
No endorsement of the products, services or websites advertised on this website is implied or intended by The Royal College of General Practitioners.